Janet ‘wardrobe malfunction’ fine may be reinstated

The US Supreme Court has ordered a re-examination of an appellate court’s decision to quash a fine over Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" during 2004's Super Bowl.

It was in July last year that the appellate court ruled that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) acted "arbitrarily" in fining CBS TV 550,000 dollars in September 2004, for airing the glimpse of Jackson's breast during the broadcast.

As many as 90 million viewers are said to have seen the incident during the half time show.

The malfunction happened while Jackson was performing alongside Justin Timberlake, who reached for her bra.

Broadcaster CBS received around 542,000 complaints regarding the malfunction.

However, the 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia has now been directed to consider reinstating the fine imposed by the FCC.

The order comes after a high court ruling last week that upheld the FCC's policy that subjects broadcasters to fines against even single uses of swear words on live television, reports the BBC.

That ruling will be reviewed in view of the Supreme Court's order in the case.